Vapor control sheet material

ABSTRACT

A sheet material comprises an absorbent stratum, for trapping undesired vapor, and a liquid impermeable polymeric stratum, for preventing transmission of liquid formed by condensation of the vapor. The sheet material serves as an exterior wrapping before disposal.

United States Patent Sweeney [451 Mar.21,1972

[54] VAPOR CONTROL SHEET MATERIAL [72] Inventor: Robert Sweeney, 10 Wilton Drive,

Wilmington, Mass. 01887 [22] Filed: July 17, 1969 [21] Appl.No.: 842,659

[58] Field ofSearch ...161/162, 206, 208, 9; 117/29,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,665,259 1/1954 Buffett ..252/455 R 2,668,787 2/1954 Schramm, Jr ..161/162 2,701,774 2/1955 Marsell et a1. ..1 17/33 2,781,159 2/1957 Copeman ..1 17/33 2,968,633 1/1961 Weir 254/455 R 2,980,941 4/1961 Miller 161/162 3,027,271 3/1962 Plasse et a1. ..117/33 3,244,635 4/1966 Duke ..252/455 R Primary Examiner-Douglas J. Dr'ummond Attorney-Morse, Altman & Oates [5 7] ABSTRACT A sheet material comprises an absorbent stratum, for trapping undesired vapor, and a liquid impermeable polymeric stratum, for preventing transmission of liquid formed by condensation of the vapor. The sheet material serves as an exterior wrapping before disposal.

3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures Attapulgite particle stratum Adhesive stratum Polymeric stratum PATENTEDMARZI I972 3.650.883

Paper stratum containing attapulgite particles -Adhesive stratum Polymerlc stratum Attapulgite particle stratum Adhesive stratum Polymeric stratum Activated Carbon} Particle stratum Attapulgite Adhesive stratum Polymeric stratum lNVENTOR ROBERT SWEENEY ATTORNEYS VAPOR CONTROL SHEET MATERIAL BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY The present invention relates to sheet materials of the type used as a shield to contain or exclude aqueous or organic vapors and, more particularly, to sheet materials which can be wrapped about an odoriferous material, for example food, or which can be disposed in contact with a wet or oily surface to protect against soiling of a persons clothing in contact therewith. Oftentimes a plastic sheet material, at the same time, is vapor impermeable and liquid permeable. This means that although a particular vapor may not be transmitted through a plastic stratum, liquid condensate on the plastic stratum may be transmitted.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a sheet material characterized by at least two strata, one of which is polymeric and the other of which is particulated absorbent. The absorbent stratum serves to trap undesired liquid that may result from condensation. Since stratum cannot transmit vapor and since the absorbent stratum precludes condensed liquid, the combined product is of improved efficacy.

Other objects of the present invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the products and processes, together with their components, steps and interrelationships, which are the subject of the present disclosure, the scope of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exaggerated, cross sectional view of a product embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exaggerated cross sectional view of a alternative product embodying the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is an exaggerated cross sectional view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Generally, the illustrated products are characterized by at least a first stratum composed of a synthetic polymer and at least a second stratum containing a particulate absorbent. In one form, the synthetic polymeric stratum is composed of a cellulosic such as cellulose acetate, which generally is largely moisture impermeable but somewhat permeable to water. In one form the adsorbent is silicate, commonly known as attapulgite clay. Attapulgite clay is a hydrated aluminum silicate that in particulate form, adsorbes water and oil.

The product of FIG. 1 comprises in laminated sequence an adsorbent stratum 10, an adhesive stratum l2 and a polymeric stratum l4. Adsorbent stratum 10 is composed of a paper matrix and a particulate attapulgite dispersoid. Polymeric stratum 14 is composed of a cellulosic such as cellulose acetate. Adsorbent stratum 10 is laminated to polymeric stratum 14 by a suitable adhesive, for example, a cellulosic cement having a firm bond with the cellulosic molecules of stratum l4 and the cellulosic fibers of stratum 10. In the illustrated form, stratum 10 is provided with the particulate attapulgite during the pulp mixing and casting process so that the final paper stratum is of the desired composition.

The product of FIG. 2 comprises, in laminated sequence, an attapulgite particle stratum 16, an adhesive 18 and a polymeric stratum 20. The polymeric stratum is composed of an olefinic material such as polyethylene. Adhesive stratum 18 is composed of a pressure sensitive non-drying formulation containing a elastomer and a non-drying organic vehicle. Particulate stratum 16 is composed of a monolayer of attapulgite particles. Stratum 16 is produced by dusting the particles onto pressure sensitive adhesive stratum l8 and then removing free particles by blowing.

The product of 1G. 3 comprises, in laminated sequence, a

mixed attapulgite and activated particle stratum 22, and adhesive stratum l4 and a polymeric stratum 26. The polymeric and adhesive stratum are composed of materials of the types discussed above. Particulate stratum 16 is composed of a monolayer of attapulgite and activated carbon particles which merely are dusted onto the pressure sensitive produced in the manner of stratum 16 above adhesive stratum I8 and then excess particles are removed by blowing.

Since certain changes may be made in the foregoing disclosure without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter described in the above specification or shown in the accompanying drawing be interpreted in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

l. A sheet product comprising in laminated sequence a polymeric stratum, an adhesive stratum and an attapulgite particle stratum, said polymeric stratum being synthetic, said attapulgite particle stratum being composed of a monolayer of attapulgite particles.

2. The product of claim 1 wherein said particle stratum includes a monolayer of activated carbon particles and said at- 

2. The product of claim 1 wherein said particle stratum includes a monolayer of activated carbon particles and said attapulgite particles in interspersed relation.
 3. The product of claim 1 wherein said polymeric stratum is composed of a cellulosic which generally is largely moisture permeable but somewhat permeable to water, said adhesive stratum being a cellulosic cement. 